At the Park

It's kind of hard to play when your mommy has piled 15 layers on you.

Baby Girl Loves the Peek-a-boo

Bubbles

Julia initiated her friendship with 4 year old Vittoria by marching directly up to her with several enthusiastic "hi!"s and a double wave of the hands.  Little Vittoria was kind enough to introduce Julia to bubble chasing and bubble popping, which confused and thrilled her.

While they were in this position, I caught Julia giving the back of Vittoria's head several kisses.  Sadly, Vittoria remained oblivious to the exchange.  Later, however, she and her friends took turns squeezing Julia's cheeks, which she balked at in the beginning, but eventually made her laugh.

Our New Favorite Outfit

Precious beyond precious billowy blouse, hand knit by her Nonna. 

Julia and Giulia

Her new little playmate.   They have the same name (Giulia is the Italian spelling), the same stroller and their paternal grandfathers are both named Mario.  They are both gigglers and often do so when they are chasing each other.

Trying to work out their highly affectionate but rather awkward greeting.

Turns out that our Julia loves to play chase only when she is the chaser.  Any time Giulia tried to grab her, she took off wagging her finger no.

Carnivale

Zia Eva bought Julia this adorable Belle costume from Beauty and the Beast for Carnivale.  Let's just say that she made quite the splash wobbling down the street in this get-up.

Here is Julia's little friend that she has been playing with lately.  I don't know why, but when they see each other, Julia tries to kiss her and she tries to hug Julia.  But for some reason, it just ends up in a strange misunderstanding where they end up pushing each other away.  I hope they get it nailed down soon because it's pretty amusing.

Why why why do old ladies think they can just grab her and put her on their knees? 

She is so lucky...

that I haven't eaten her right up.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin Pie!

Thirteen months old today!

An Alarming Epiphany

Before yesterday she thought "no" was used only to indicate the things she wasn't allowed to do.  It suddenly dawned on her that the wagging finger can be used towards us as well.  Yikes.

Peekaboo

Three things I love about the way she plays peekaboo:  1.  She initiates it on her own using any manner of article, including her sippy cup.  2. She furtively peeks while waiting to boo.  3.  She exercises infinite patience while waiting to reveal herself.  I left the room to toss her diaper and found her still in position upon my return. 

Rosy Winter Cheeks

Communication Breakdown

Julia has been enjoying her evening concerts with her father so much that periodically throughout the day, she will request a song.  She gets her point across using two methods.  Pointing at the guitar and either strumming her chest or bopping around dancing.  While I perfectly understand what she wants, I can't seem to make her understand that I can't provide this type of entertainment and she will have to wait for papà to come home.  More than once this exchange resulted in her breaking down into tears.

Outta Here

This morning I opened the front door of our apartment and she sauntered out without a moment of hesitation.  Got on the elevator, waited patiently to arrive and got right off.  Even hung a left out of the apartment building to head towards our grocery store.  

Then, halfway down the street, out of nowhere she started laughing hysterically.

Handknit Coat Made by Nonna

Gorgeous little coat with hoody that she has not taken off for 2 days and nights.  The Siberian cold front is keeping us under our covers - reading, watching Bear in the Big Blue House (she looooves Ojo), smooching and giggling. 



She is in the phase where anything can double as a telephone.  I love her very enthusiatic "hi!"that she uses to answer her piece of paper.